Venezuelan official accuses Trump of seeking to overthrow government

(MENAFN) Venezuela’s attorney general has accused US President Donald Trump of seeking to topple President Nicolás Maduro’s government, saying there is “no doubt” Washington is trying to turn the country into a “colony” of the United States.

Tarek William Saab, a close ally of Maduro, told international media that Trump’s administration was using its anti-drug operations in the Caribbean as cover for regime change efforts. His comments come amid heightened tensions following a significant US military buildup in the region.

Trump has previously accused Maduro of leading a drug-trafficking organization — an allegation the Venezuelan leader denies. According to reports, the US claims to have killed at least 43 people during strikes on vessels it identified as drug-trafficking boats off South America. Trump also said the US was now “looking at land” operations after gaining “very good control” of the sea.

When asked about the possibility of a US land invasion, Saab said, “It shouldn’t happen, but we are prepared.” Despite that warning, he added that Venezuela remained “ready to resume dialogue” with Washington, even while condemning what he described as an “illegitimate” campaign against the country.

The US and several other nations refuse to recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president, citing the 2024 election as neither free nor fair. Opposition figures claim their candidate won by a wide margin, but official results declared Maduro the victor.

Saab alleged that Washington’s real objective was to seize Venezuela’s vast natural resources, including its gold, oil, and copper reserves.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in the US have voiced concerns over the legality of Trump’s recent military strikes. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said that further “land strikes” were a “real possibility,” adding that Trump intends to brief Congress on his return from Asia.

In recent months, the US has deployed warships, marines, bombers, and surveillance aircraft across the Caribbean, framing the move as part of a crackdown on “narco-terrorists.” However, analysts suggest the buildup is intended to intimidate Caracas and increase pressure for Maduro’s removal.

Maduro accused the US of “fabricating war” after Washington ordered the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, to the region. Over the weekend, the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely arrived in Trinidad and Tobago — located just off Venezuela’s coast — for joint military exercises, marking the largest US presence in the Caribbean in decades.

In response, Venezuela condemned what it described as “a military provocation by Trinidad and Tobago in coordination with the CIA.” The government also claimed to have detained a “mercenary group with direct information from the US intelligence agency,” alleging that a “false flag attack is underway” in the waters between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago.

Caracas has made similar accusations before, including claims in October that the US planned to stage a false flag operation by planting explosives in its embassy in Caracas.

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